Sergei Prokofiev lived in America, Germany and Paris after the Russian Revolution, but was unhappy playing second fiddle to Rachmaninov in the USA and to Stravinsky in Europe. He wanted to write large works such as operas, but the Great Depression put an end to that. Increasingly he turned to Russia, and in 1936 he returned home. After Shostakovich’s problems with the authorities, Prokofiev had every reason to believe he would take on the mantle of pre-eminent Soviet composer.

On his return, he simplified his style harmonically and wrote his two best loved works: his “symphonic fairy tale for children” Peter and the Wolf and the ballet Romeo and Juliet. Nevertheless, Prokofiev knew what was required of him, and...